World Water Poverty: 884 Million

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT_l755Ffys]
Water for People is the first non-profit organization I started supporting (December 2011). The animated video above depicts the worldwide water epidemic facing humanity. More often than not, Americans don't think about their water rights, accessibility, power, and cost. As we all inevitably dehydrated (prune) over time, this issue becomes more and more prevalent. A part of me believes that humans, animals, and plants are guests on planet Earth and the Universe. Consequently, as one who believes in leaving spaces better than you found them (thanks parents), we can actively choose to provide water sanitation and networks to the needing communities where Water for People works.

My initial support came because they are an international organization spanning more continents than just Africa. Then I learned that for every dollar raised, .83 cents of that dollar makes it to the country for program implementation. They're rated as a 4 and 5 star charity by many sources (i.e. - charitynavigator.org). An 80% or better implementation rate is very good in the international non-profit sector.

I’ve started my campaign to raise $10,000 for the ‘Water for People’ organization. I joined their World Water Corps team and Crowdrise fundraising page to make this goal possible. Please click the link ^^ above ^^ to donate to my mission. For every $1,000 raised, I will choose what country the money goes to. For every $5,000 raised, I will choose what region of the country the money goes to. Eventually at the end of 2012, I will be on my way to that country as a program volunteer for 2 weeks.

I was originally open to donating to any country but I have decided to donate the money I raise to Ecuadorian communities and the Ecuadorian Water for People Corps. Ecuador is an emerging location for Water for People. WFP has established projects in Peru, and expanded into Ecuador in 2008-2009.